Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — April 1, 2026 — Airwallex has secured approval from Bank Negara Malaysia to operate with expanded financial licences, enabling the company to roll out a broader suite of payment and financial services in the country.
The approvals include an e-money issuing licence and a Class A licence, allowing Airwallex to provide multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange and cross-border payment capabilities through a single platform. The move shifts its Malaysia offering from limited services to a more complete financial setup for businesses.
Broader Capabilities and Market Positioning
The new licences build on Airwallex’s existing Class B Money Services Business licence and its Registered Merchant Acquirer status. Together, they extend the company’s ability to operate across a wider range of financial services locally.
This places Airwallex more directly in competition with regional fintech providers and payment firms targeting businesses with international operations.
Arnold Chan, General Manager for Asia-Pacific at Airwallex, said the approvals would allow the company to deploy its full financial infrastructure in Malaysia and support companies expanding beyond domestic markets.
Expansion Backed by Growing Demand
Airwallex has been scaling its presence in Malaysia alongside its regulatory progress. The company increased its local workforce by 66% in 2025 and recently moved into a larger office with capacity for more than 160 employees. It plans to continue hiring through 2026.
The company processed more than RM2 billion in remittance transactions in Malaysia in 2025, driven by rising demand from businesses managing cross-border payments.
Founded in 2015, Airwallex provides financial infrastructure and payment services to businesses globally. It holds licences across North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific and supports services including payment acceptance, global accounts and spend management.
Malaysia’s Expanding Digital Trade Landscape
Malaysia continues to strengthen its role as a regional hub for digital trade and commerce. The government aims for the digital economy to contribute 30% of GDP by 2030, supported by sustained growth in e-commerce and cross-border activity.
As more businesses expand internationally, demand is increasing for integrated platforms that combine payments, foreign exchange and account management within a regulated framework.
Digital Trade Outlook Analysis
Airwallex’s expanded licensing signals a broader shift toward regulated fintech platforms supporting cross-border trade. As businesses seek more integrated financial tools, providers offering end-to-end infrastructure are gaining ground. The move also points to intensifying competition in Southeast Asia’s payments sector.
Source: Airwallex announcement